Fastening arrangement for fastening an accessory object to an item of clothing

ABSTRACT

A fastening arrangement for the detachable fastening of an accessory object to an item of clothing having at least one seam and a hook, which is fastened to the item of clothing, wherein the hook has a receiving section for an accessory object and a fastening section having at least one limb, which is guided in or through at least one stitch of a seam

This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/001219, which was filed on Apr. 23, 2013, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2012 008 182.0, which was filed in Germany on Apr. 26, 2012, and which are both herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fastening arrangement for fastening an accessory object to an item of clothing.

2. Description of the Background Art

With respect to items of clothing such as shoes and clothes, the wearers thereof increasingly desire to provide an item of clothing with accessory objects such as ribbons, pearls, pompons, etc., which are interchangeable, in order to apply an accessory object to the item of clothing that is suitable for a particular occasion or set of circumstances.

One possibility for fastening an accessory object to an item of clothing, in particular to a textile item of clothing, is the use of a safety pin. In so doing, the safety pin is usually guided through the holes of a woven fabric or a knitted fabric of an item of clothing and is fastened. When used with finely woven fabric or finely knitted materials, the safety pin often leaves unwanted tracks in the item of clothing. A safety pin can be used with leather only under highly limited conditions, since the safety pin leaves holes in the leather. Moreover, the described application of the safety pin has the disadvantage that the safety pin is typically visible, which is often unwanted, however.

In another method, clothespin-type clamps are used, in the case of which teeth or the like are provided in the interior of the clamp opening in addition to the usual clothespins. The teeth of the clamps grip into the fabric of the item of clothing in order to fasten an accessory object, which is fastened to the clamp, to an item of clothing in a relatively secure, i.e., fixed, manner. In the case of these clamps, there is a risk, however, that these can be easily torn off of the item of clothing due to external influences and can thereby damage the fabric of the item of clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fastening arrangement for the detachable fastening of an accessory object to an item of clothing, which is non-destructive to the item of clothing and, in particular, is unnoticeable, wherein the accessory object can be fastened to the item of clothing in the most captive manner possible.

According to an embodiment of the invention, this problem is solved by virtue of the fact that, in the case of a fastening arrangement for the detachable fastening of an accessory object to an item of clothing, which comprises an item of clothing having at least one seam and a hook, which is fastened on the item of clothing, the hook has a receiving section for an accessory object and a fastening section having a limb, which is guided into or through at least one stitch of a seam.

It should be noted here that the expression “item of clothing” can refer to, for example, items of clothing such as pants, jackets, skirts, etc., as well as shoes, hats, purses, or hair bands.

The fastening arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention has the advantage that the material of the item of clothing does not need to be punctured, and therefore the fastening arrangement does not leave any tracks or holes in the item of clothing when said fastening arrangement is removed.

In an embodiment, the item of clothing comprises at least two layers of material, which are connected to one another by means of an overlapped seam. The at least one limb of the hook can be inserted between the material layers, which are interconnected by means of the overlapped seam.

In this arrangement, the hook can be fastened on the item of clothing in a highly unnoticeable manner. If the hook is attached, for example on the upper edge of a shoe, such as a pump or a low shoe, this embodiment has the advantage that the hook hardly affects the wearing comfort of the item of clothing.

In a further embodiment, the item of clothing comprises at least one material layer having a seam and the at least one limb of the hook is guided, on an outer side of the material layer, through two stitches of a seam. This fastening arrangement is suitable for use primarily with an external backstitch or ornamental seam.

The at least one limb of the hook can have an engagement tip at the end thereof. This provides additional fixation of the hook in the item of clothing, especially when the limb is guided between two layers of material.

A particularly stable fastening of the hook and, therefore, the accessory object on the item of clothing is achieved in an advantageous development by virtue of the fact that the hook has at least two limbs, each of which has an engagement tip on the end thereof, and each limb is guided through a stitch of a seam.

In an embodiment of the fastening arrangement according to the invention, the at least one limb is substantially U-shaped and has one free end and one fixed end, wherein, advantageously, the limb has a snap-in element on the free end thereof, which establishes a snap-in connection with a snap-in receptacle disposed on the hook.

The hook of this fastening arrangement can be used between two material layers, which are interconnected by an overlapped seam, and with seams located on the outside of the item of clothing, such as backstitch or ornamental seams.

According to an embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention, the hook is substantially omega-shaped and is made of an elastic material. This embodiment can also be used with fastening arrangements having an overlapped seam as well as backstitch or ornamental seams.

In a further embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention, the hook has a limb that has a smaller diameter in the insertion state than in the holding state. In the insertion state thereof, the hook can therefore be guided between two layers of material, for example, and can then be transitioned into the holding state such that the hook can be snapped together, between the two layers of material.

In order to increase the wearing comfort, a protective layer that covers the seam can be provided.

Hooks for a fastening device according to the invention are likewise an object of the present invention.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a fastening arrangement having an overlapped seam;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a hook;

FIG. 3 shows the fastening arrangement from FIG. 1, in a cross-sectional view;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a hook;

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a fastening arrangement having an overlapped seam, in a cross-sectional view;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a fastening arrangement having an overlapped seam;

FIG. 7 a shows an embodiment of a hook, in a closed position;

FIG. 7 b shows the hook illustrated in FIG. 7 a, in the opened position;

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a fastening arrangement having an external seam or ornamental seam;

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a fastening arrangement having an external seam or ornamental seam;

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a hook;

FIG. 11 shows a fastening arrangement having a protective layer;

FIG. 12 shows the use of a fastening arrangement on a shoe;

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a hook;

FIG. 14 a shows an embodiment of a fastening arrangement between two material layers, in an insertion state;

FIG. 14 b shows the fastening arrangement illustrated in FIG. 14 a, in a holding state;

FIG. 15 a shows an embodiment of a fastening arrangement between two material layers, in an insertion state;

FIG. 15 b shows the fastening arrangement illustrated in FIG. 15 a, in a holding state;

FIG. 16 a shows an embodiment of a hook, in a closed position; and

FIG. 16 b shows the hook illustrated in FIG. 16 a, in an opened position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a fastening arrangement 10 according to a first embodiment. The fastening arrangement 10 comprises an item of clothing 12 having a seam 14 and a hook 16, on which an accessory object 18 is fastened.

The accessory object 18 can be a ribbon, pearls, pompons, or the like.

The item of clothing 12 comprises two material layers 20A and 20B, which are interconnected by means of the seam 14. The two material layers 20A and 20B are disposed so as to overlap. The seam 14 is an overlapped seam.

The hook 16, which is shown in detail in FIG. 2, has two limbs 22A and 22B, which are guided between the two material layers 20A and 20B in order to fasten the accessory object 18 to the item of clothing 12. In order to achieve a good holding effect on the item of clothing, each limb 22A and 22B engages individually through a stitch 24 of the seam 14.

FIG. 2 shows the hook 16 illustrated in FIG. 1, in detail. The hook 16 has a receiving section 26 having a frame 27, which encompasses an opening 28, wherein the accessory object 18 can be fastened on the receiving section 26. Two limbs 22A and 22B, which are substantially parallel, extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the receiving section 26. Each limb 22A and 22B has, on the free end thereof, an engagement tip 30A and 30B, each of which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the limbs 22A and 22B. The limbs 22A and 22B and the engagement tips 30A and 30B are part of a fastening section of the hook.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the engagement tips 30A and 30B point in the same direction as the receiving section 26. In a non-illustrated embodiment, the engagement tips and the receiving section point in opposite directions.

FIG. 3 shows the fastening arrangement 10 in a cross-sectional view through the two material layers 20A and 20B. The limbs 22A and 22B (wherein only the limb 22A is visible in FIG. 3) are inserted into the intermediate space 32 between the two material layers 20A and 20B and extend through the seam 14. The engagement tips 30A and 30B engage between the two material layers 20A and 20B into the inner side of the material layer 20B in order to additionally fix the hook 16.

An alternative embodiment of the hook 16 shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The hook 116 illustrated in FIG. 4 differs from the hook 16 illustrated in FIG. 2 in that the two limbs 122A and 122B are provided, on the free ends thereof, with a projection 134A and 134B, each of which extends perpendicular to the limbs. Engagement tips 130A and 130B are provided on the free end of each of the projections 134A and 134B. The engagement tips 130A and 130B are disposed parallel to the limbs 122A and 122B and point in the direction of the receiving section 126.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a fastening arrangement 110 having the hook 116 from FIG. 4, in a cross-sectional view through the two material layers 120A and 120B. In this fastening arrangement 110, the two ends 136A and 136B of the material layers 120A and 120B are bent over toward the inside. The seam 14 extends through both material layers 120A and 120B and through the two bent-over ends 136A and 136B. The limbs 122A and 122B are guided between the two ends 136A and 136B of the material layers 120A and 120B. The projection 134A and 134B and the engagement tips 130A and 130B encompass the bent-over end 136B of the material layer 120B, thereby securely fastening the hook 116 between the two material layers 120A and 120B.

In the case of the hook 16, 116 illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, the limbs 22A, 22B, 122A, 122B are oriented perpendicular to the receiving section 26; 126. In an alternative embodiment, which is not illustrated, the limbs and the receiving section lie in one plane.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a fastening arrangement 210, in which an item of clothing 12 has two overlapping material layers 20A and 20B. The two material layers 20A and 20B are interconnected by means of an overlapped seam 14. An accessory object 18 is fastened on the hook 216, which is described in detail in FIG. 7. A substantially U-shaped limb 240 of the hook 216 is guided between the two material layers 20A and 20B. The limb 240 of the hook extends through two different stitches 24 of the seam 14 and thereby encompasses at least one thread section 25 of the seam 14, which extends transversely to the two material layers 20A and 20B.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 a, the hook 216 has a substantially oval shape in the closed position thereof. A web 242 separates the hook 216 into a receiving section 226 having an opening 228 for receiving an accessory object 18, and a fastening section 250. The receiving section 226 and the fastening section 250 therefore lie substantially in one plane. The fastening section 250 comprises a limb 240, which is fixedly connected at one end to the receiving section 226 and, at the other, free end, can be pivoted between a closed position (see FIG. 7 a) and an open position (see FIG. 7 b). The limb 240 has a snap-in element 244 on the free end thereof. A snap-in receptacle 246 is provided in the region of the receiving section 226 for the purpose of establishing a releasable snap-in connection with the snap-in element 244.

In order to fasten the hook 216 to an item of clothing 12 having an overlapped seam 14, the hook 216 is guided, in the opened position, between the two material layers 20A and 20B. Coming from the outside, the limb 240 thereby engages around a stitch 24 of the seam 14 via the free end thereof. The free end of the limb 240 is guided out of the intermediate space 50 between the two material layers 20A and 20B, through a further stitch 24, and back toward the outside. In so doing, the limb 240 encompasses at least one thread section 25 of the seam 14, which extends transversely to the material layers 20A and 20B. The hook, which has been thusly guided through the two material layers 20A and 20B, is then closed by moving the free end of the limb 240 into the closed position, in which the snap-in element 246 snaps into position with the snap-in receptacle 246.

FIG. 13 shows a variant of the hook 216 that is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 a and 7 b. The snap-in connection has been omitted in the hook 416 illustrated in FIG. 13. A gap 460, through which a thread section of a seam can be guided, is provided between the free end of the limb 440 and the receiving section 426.

A fourth embodiment of a fastening arrangement 310 is shown in FIG. 8. In the fastening arrangement 310 illustrated in FIG. 8, the hook 216 illustrated in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b is disposed on the outer side of the material layer 20A of the item of clothing 12, on the seam 14. On the outer side of the material layer 20A, the limb 240 of the hook 216 extends through two different stitches 24 of the seam 14 and thereby encompasses at least one thread section of the seam 14.

The hook 216 is fastened to the seam 14 on the outer side of the material layer 20A in a manner analogous to that described in association with the third embodiment. In the open position, the limb 240 of the hook is guided from above, i.e., from the edge of the material layer 20A on the outer side of the material layer 20A through a stitch 24 of the seam 14. Next, the limb is guided upwardly, coming from the bottom, through a further stitch 24 of the seam 14 on the outer side of the material layer 20A such that the limb encompasses at least one thread section of the seam 14. The hook 216 is closed in the manner described above in order to fasten the hook 216 to the item of clothing 12.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the fastening arrangement 410. The fastening arrangement 410 shown in FIG. 9 differs from the fastening arrangement 310 shown in FIG. 8 in that a different hook shape was selected. The hook 316, which is shown in detail in FIG. 10, comprises two free limbs 340A and 340B. Each limb 340A and 340B is inserted into a stitch 24 of a seam 14 on the outer side of the material layer 20A.

The hook 316 illustrated in FIG. 10 is substantially omega-shaped and is made of an elastic material. In the curved, central section thereof, the hook 316 has a receiving section 326 for accommodating an accessory object. Furthermore, a fastening section having two limbs 340A and 340B is provided, said limbs being bent toward the outside on the free ends thereof, in order to form a fixing projection 342A and 342B.

In order to fasten the hook 316 to an item of clothing 12, the two limbs 340A and 340B are pressed together slightly and each is guided through a stitch 24 of the seam 14 on the outer side of the material layers 20A. The hook 316, which is inserted under tension, is clamped in the seam 14 by releasing the limbs 340A and 340B, which have been guided into the seam 14.

According to a non-illustrated embodiment, the hook illustrated in FIG. 10 can also be disposed and fastened between two material layers of an overlapped seam.

If the hooks according to the fourth and fifth embodiment are fastened to the seam 14 on the outer side of the material layer 20A, the second material layer 20B is not absolutely necessary. Within the scope of the invention, it is sufficient if one seam is provided on the material layer 20A, for example in the form of an ornamental seam.

In the described embodiments, an overlapped seam was depicted in which the end sections of the material layers 20A and 20B point in the same direction. Even if not depicted herein, the described fastening arrangements can also be used with overlapped seams in which the end sections of the material layers point in opposite directions.

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b show a sixth embodiment of a fastening device 510 having a hook 516.

The hook 516 comprises a limb 540 and a receiving section 526 for an accessory object, wherein the hook has an insertion state and a holding state.

The limb 540 of the hook 516 is substantially cylindrical in the insertion state. In the holding state, annular, ridge-like expansions 570 are located on the outer wall of the cylindrical limb 540, and therefore the diameter of the limb is greater in the holding state than in the insertion state. The hook is transitioned from the insertion state into the holding, state and vice versa by means of a mechanism, which is not illustrated.

In the insertion state, the hook is inserted between two material layers 520A and 520B having bent-over end sections. If the hook is located at the desired position between the two material layers 520A and 520B having bent-over end sections, the hook 516 is guided into the holding state such that the annular, ridge-like expansions 570 fasten the hook 516 on the two material layers 520A and 520B.

As is evident from the seventh embodiment of a fastening device 610, which is illustrated in FIGS. 15 a and 15 b, a hook 616 can also be used in association with two material layers 620A and 620B that have a notch 680 in the interior. In the holding state, the annular, ridge-like expansions 670 engage into the notches 680 of the two material layers 620A and 620B, thereby fastening the hook 616 on the two material layers 620A and 620B.

A hook 716 of a seventh embodiment of a hook is illustrated in FIGS. 16 a and 16 b. The hook 716 comprises an angled limb 740, a holding section 726, and a locking section 785. In the closed position of the hook 716, the limb 740 and the locking section 785 form a closed frame. The locking section 785 is displaceably supported such that an opening is available in an open position of the hook 716, through which a thread section of a seam can be guided. A lock 790 is provided in the hook 716 illustrated in FIGS. 16 a and 16 b, although this lock can also be omitted.

In the open position thereof, the hook 716 be guided through at least one stitch on an outer seam and between two material layers such that said hook encompasses at least one thread section of a seam. If the hook 716 is located at the desired position, the locking section 785 is moved into the closed position and, optionally, can be locked by means of the lock 790 such that the hook is securely fastened on the material layer(s).

If the hook shown in FIGS. 16 a and 16 b is also designed in the shape of a right angle, it lies within the scope of the invention for the hook to also have a different shape in the closed state.

A feature that is common to all the fastening arrangements is that these can be released without damaging the item of clothing 12.

FIG. 11 shows the fastening device 310 illustrated in FIG. 8, in which a protective layer 60 is additionally provided, wherein said protective layer covers the seam 14 and the hook 216. The protective layer can be fixedly sewn, for example to the material layer 20A, at least in sections.

The purpose of the protective layer 60 is to minimize the disturbing effect of the hook 116 on the wearing comfort of an item of clothing.

Even if not depicted herein, the protective layer 60 can also be provided in combination with another fastening arrangement 410, which is illustrated in FIG. 9, for example.

The item of clothing 12 can be an article of clothing such as pants, a skirt, or a jacket, or also shoes, purses, etc. The article of clothing can be made of any type of material, for example woven or knitted textiles, leather, or imitation leather.

As shown in FIG. 12, the fastening arrangements according to the invention can also be used with shoes, in particular. FIG. 12 shows, as an example, a fastening hook 16 according to FIG. 2, which is inserted between two material layers 220A and 220B of a shoe 70.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastening arrangement for the detachable fastening of an accessory object, the arrangement comprising: an item of clothing having at least one seam; and a hook that is fastened to the item of clothing, the hook having a receiving section for an accessory object and a fastening section having at least one limb that is guided into or through at least one stitch of the seam.
 2. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the item of clothing comprises at least two material layers, which are interconnected by an overlapped seam, and wherein the at least one limb of the hook is guided between the material layers, which are interconnected via the overlapped seam.
 3. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the item of clothing comprises at least one material layer having a seam, and the at least one limb of the hook is guided, on an outer side of the material layer, through two stitches of the seam.
 4. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one limb of the hook has an engagement tip at an end thereof.
 5. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the hook comprises at least two limbs, each of which has an engagement tip on the end thereof, and each limb is guided through one stitch of a seam.
 6. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one limb is substantially U-shaped and has one free end and one fixed end.
 7. The fastening arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the at least one limb comprises a snap-in element on the free end thereof, the snap-in element establishing a snap-in connection with a snap-in receptacle disposed on the hook.
 8. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the hook is substantially omega-shaped and the hook is made of an elastic material.
 9. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the hook has a limb that has a smaller diameter in a first insertion state than in a second holding state.
 10. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a protective layer that covers the seam.
 11. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the item of clothing is a shoe.
 12. A hook for a fastening device according to claim 1, wherein the hook has a receiving section having a frame, which encloses and opening for accommodating an accessory object, and two substantially parallel limbs, the limbs being disposed on the frame and each limb has an engagement tip on a free end thereof.
 13. The hook for a fastening device according to claim 12, wherein the hook has a receiving section having an opening for accommodating an accessory object, and a fastening section having a limb, wherein the limb is substantially U-shaped and has one free end and one fixed end, which is fastened on the receiving section.
 14. The hook according to claim 13, wherein the limb comprises a snap-in element on the free end thereof, the snap-in element establishing a releasable snap-in connection with a snap-in receptacle disposed on the receiving section.
 15. The hook for a fastening arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the hook is substantially omega-shaped and the hook is made of an elastic material.
 16. The hook for a fastening arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the hook has a limb that has a smaller diameter in an insertion state than in a holding state. 